Page 19 of Connor

“That’s okay, because I’m not really into this Daddy stuff. I mean, don’t get me wrong—to each his own. But I’m not a whatever-you-call-it.”

“A little.”

“Yeah. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just not for me.”

“I wonder if you have the wrong ideas about what it means to have a Daddy. Littles come in every shape, size, race, sex, gender and mindset, and there’s a huge range of combinations of mentalities and emotions. Some of us are lifestylers and some are role players. Maybe even just for specific periods of time and under certain conditions. When I spoke to Mr. Spencer, he thought you might be more of a middle, like me.”

“You? Really? And what exactly is a middle?”

“Middles are usually lifestyle oriented, but certainly not always. I’m currently not, for example, but I’d like to be one day. We’re more or less the “teenagers” of the group, but it’s important to say that all of us are over the age of twenty-one. No responsible person would ever touch an actual teen, and you won’t find any in our club. Again, it’s simply role play. And middles are often very sexual with their Daddies. Like me and my Papi.”

I waggled my eyebrows. “Sounds like me, for sure.”

Cruz grinned at me. “Have you heard of the power exchange? Someone is in control and someone gives up that control. Do you understand all that?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Well, Daddy and little or middle is a way of facilitating it. So is Dom and sub. Master and slave. Whatever the two people decide on. It can be a lifestyle, or only used for role play. Middles are prone to enjoy a little Dom/sub play with their Doms. Nothing too extreme, but maybe just softer play than usual with a Dom and a sub. Everything is negotiated between a couple and as long as the play is sane, safe and consensual, nothing is off the table.”

“Okay. That’s cool and all. But I don’t think I’m any kind of submissive.”

“You may not be, and that’s fine too. But the fact that you’ve shown this much interest makes me think you’re at least a little into kink.”

“That’s true enough.” I took a big bite of my waffles and chewed thoughtfully. “I admit, it kind of fascinates me. So you’re one of these middles?”

“Yes. But I’m still exploring what I like. I know I don’t like impact play, but I do like my Papi to set boundaries for me. We only go to the club occasionally, but when we do, we don’t spend time in the little room, because littles, when they’re role-playing, aren’t sexual, and we very much are.”

I shook my head. “Oh, I see. So then being a little is definitely not for me then. I could see having a relationship like yours though. Having someone to look out for me would be nice.”

“Just come to the party and see for yourself. Being a little might appeal to you more than you think—or it might not appeal at all. There will a couple more middles besides me too. The party will be fun either way, and you’ll meet some nice people.”

“I told Jared I’d go. Will you be there?”

“Yes. That’s why Master Jared wanted me to meet you first. So you’d already know somebody.”

Thoughtful. That was one reason why I couldn’t seem to stop thinking about him all the time.

“One more question though. You say Jared isn’t a Daddy Dom.”

“Oh no. Not at all. Not that I’ve ever seen, anyway.”

“Why not? What makes him so different?”

“Daddies are typically softer, more loving and less about control and discipline. Master Jared is more into S/M.”

“Oh. Sado-masochism, right?”

“Yes.”

“Floggers and whips and handcuffs?”

“More or less.” He sat back and contemplated me for a moment. “You know, you don’t look anything like anyone he ever takes an interest in.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, when it comes to his subs, they’re bigger and tougher as a rule. More muscular. He never plays with anyone more than a few times, and he’s extremely picky with his subs. He mostly likes a certain type of boy.” He looked at me speculatively. “One that’s nothing like you.”

“What’s wrong with me?”

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